Senior Air India pilot with gold bars worth Rs 16 lakh held at Mumbai Airport

The Air Intelligence Unit of the Customs department on Wednesday intercepted a senior pilot of Air India and allegedly seized 530 grams of gold, worth over Rs 15 lakh, from his possession.

A Customs official said the pilot, whose name was not disclosed, was attempting “surreptitious removal” of gold bars by concealing them in his checked-in baggage and hand baggage. Seven gold bars worth Rs 15.6 lakh were seized from his possession, he said.

“He has admitted to possession, carriage and concealment of bars which were being smuggled into India,” the official said. There was no immediate comment from Air India.